CHAPTER:  BAPTISM BY FIRE

	"ADHAMA!!!" Ambia shouted.  The cry sent a flock of birds into a 
panicked flight.  "Adhama, get up here!"
	The lionesses looked uncertainly at one another.  "What are we 
going to do??" young Amara cried.  "Why won't he just leave us alone??"
	Adhama padded up behind her and nuzzled her.  "Easy, sister.  I'll 
handle it."  Adhama closed her eyes briefly, sighed, then slowly made 
her way up the rough slope of the kopje, muttering a prayer as she went.
	The last few weeks had become a living hell for the lionesses as 
they struggled to cope with Ambia's fickle moods and whims.  And most of 
that ill will was directed to Adhama whose leadership qualities and 
proud bearing made her a threat.  He looked for every chance to 
humiliate and intimidate her, especially in front of the others.
	She heaved a small sigh as she reached the top of the kopje where 
he lay, waiting.  "Yes, Ambia?"
	"You will address me as SIRE!"  he snarled. 	
	"Oh, yes, I forgot.  You're supposed to be some sort of King."
	Fury blazed in his eyes.  With a low grunt, he cuffed her nearly 
senseless with one massive blow.  Adhama shook, tears streaming down her 
face as blood welled from a cut lip.  "I'm hungry," he growled.  "You'd 
do well to find me something fresher than your dry wit."
	Adhama ran her tongue out and licked the blood from her lips, 
feeling the sting.  Her eyes narrowed.  "So you can outfight a lioness," 
she said, frightened but indignant.  "I knew there was SOME reason you 
called yourself King.  What would you do when another male comes around?  
Will you hit HIM like that?"
	With an inarticulate roar of rage he surged forward, sending her 
scrabbling off the kopje in an effort to keep from falling.  "GET OUT!  
Find me some dinner before I hit you with my claws out!!"
	Trembling, Adhama's turned away from him and headed down the rock 
to gather her hunting party.  She detailed two of the older lionesses to 
stay behind and baby-sit the cubs.
	"No," Ambia said.
	Adhama blinked and looked up to face him.  "What?"
	"Take those old cronies with you."  He jerked his head at Amara.  
"Leave her here to watch the cubs."
	Amara's eyes widened in fear, and she looked pleadingly at her 
pride sisters.  The two older lionesses returned the look helplessly.  
And Adhama felt sorry for the pretty young female.  She was just coming 
into her first season, and there was no doubt what Ambia had in store 
for her.  But to refuse him would be to risk terrible consequences.  
Adhama moved to her side and nuzzled her ear.  "It'll be okay, hon."
	"Addie, please take me with you!" she whispered hoarsely.  "Oh 
gods, I don't want to stay here with him!  I beg you!"
	"Easy, hon.  He'll leave you alone.  Just pretend you're sick.  
We'll pray for you."
	Amara trembled for a moment, then nodded, swallowing convulsively.  
"O-Okay."
	Ambia shouted again.  "Adhama, I meant TODAY, not next week!"
	"All right!"  she snapped.  Adhama turned and looked at Sh'aari 
again.  "Aiheu abamami."
	Amara nodded jerkily, unable to speak, them moved away to where 
the cubs lay frozen with fear.  "Come on, kids.  Want to hear a story?"
	The cubs huddled against her, trembling.  "Marrie, don't let him 
hurt us!" one of them whispered.
	"Don't worry, honey tree.  I'll protect you with my life."
	"I wish Daddy would come home."
	"He's with God now."
	"If we asked Him, would he send Daddy home?"
	"I wish He would, sweetheart."
	Adhama watched her for a moment, then reluctantly turned and led 
the others away.  Padding slowly across the worn ground, she paused as 
they began to enter the tall grass and looked back.  Amara looked after 
them with the desperate look of a gazelle in a death grip.  Ambia was 
perched atop the kopje again, eyes glinting in the reddish glow of the 
sunset, a warped smile on his face as he watched them go.  His gaze met 
hers, and his smile widened into a grin.  
	Cursing silently to herself, Adhama slipped into the deepening 
shadows of twilight, praying fervently they would find something soon--
soon enough to spare Amara.
	Ambia lay silently, watching as the grass rippled in a purposeful 
wave as the huntresses moved through it, heading away to the west.  He 
began grooming a forepaw idly, listening to the low drone of Amara's 
voice as she spun a tale of N'ga and Sufa to the cubs.  Her voice 
quavered, and she was having trouble remembering it straight.  Absently, 
he began running a forepaw through his mane, smoothing the fur and 
untangling the burrs from it as he continued to watch the grassy field 
across from them.  Finally satisfied, he yawned hugely, then rose.  
Shaking himself, he turned and leapt to the ground, pacing slowly over 
to where Amara lay with the children.
	The lioness heard the pad of feet near her, she blinked and looked 
up to see Ambia standing next to her.  "Sire?"
	He smiled down at her.  "Indeed.  It's so nice to know at least 
someone around here respects my authority."  He eyed her keenly.  "You 
DO respect me, don't you, Marrie?"
	"Well, yes, of course--Sire."
	"Of course.  It's heartening to see respect from one so young."  
He cocked his head oddly and smiled.  "So young, and so pretty..."
	Amara felt her stomach knot with fear.  "Not that pretty.  I'm 
just young."  She purposefully coughed.
	"VERY pretty, he amended softly.  "I've been watching you.  You 
move like tall grass in a gentle wind.  Everything about you is 
exciting, even the way you tell stories.  I think you would be a good 
mother."
	"Thank you," she said tensely.  She did not like the way the 
conversation was going.
	"Beautiful and gentle.  Good qualities in a prospective queen, I'd 
say."
	"Me?  A queen?"  She rose in fright.
	He nodded and moved to stand beside her, his heavy body brushing 
against hers.  "And why not?  It's as simple as pledging to a King."  He 
looked directly into her fearful eyes.  "I know I can be a little abrupt 
at times, but I have lived a hard life.  The world makes me hard like 
flint.  You could take off the rough edges.  You'd like that, wouldn't 
you?  We could all get along like one happy family.  Once in a while we 
could slip out and make love under the moon."
	Amara was young, but not entirely naive She understood his
terms 
clearly.  And while she could never love him, she could marry for love--
the love of Adhama, the other pride sisters and the helpless cubs that 
peeked at her from the cover of the tall grass.  "So it comes to this," 
she thought.  "Aiheu, if I must do this thing for my friends, help me to 
tolerate him.  Please?"
	"You are a rather handsome lion," she said with resignation.  
"I've never been with a male before.  Be patient with me."
	"I can be patient," he said with barely suppressed excitement.  
"Patient within reason.  Be my Queen, Amara.  Tonight, and for always."  
His shaggy head nosed her flank.
	"Ambia--I--"
	"Yes, Amara?"  He nosed her again.  "You're shy.  I like that.  
Don't worry--I won't hurt you."  Passionately, he rubbed up her side and 
then put his paw on her shoulder.  
	She tried to purr.  Only a deep rumbling came out.  Tears started 
down her cheeks.  "Please God," she silently prayed, "let this work.  
Show me a sign that he'll honor his promise.  Spare my family."
	Trembling with passion, he said, "Before the gods, before the 
stars, before the assembled host I swear to give you my protection, my 
love, and my comfort forever."
	He waited a moment for her answer.  Instead she stared at him, 
frozen like a stone.
	He said, "Answer me, my love."  He nuzzled her face, then worked 
his way back until he reached the base of her tail.  He reached out with 
an adventurous paw and fondled her intimately.
	"No!!"  She screamed and jumped on top of a small boulder where 
she crouched, sobbing hysterically and cowering in fear.  "I can't!  I 
tried, but I just can't!"
	"Come down here!"
	"Leave me alone!  Go away and leave me alone!"
	"You lead me on, then say no??  Do I look like a fool to you??"  
Ambia snarled, then sprang up on the rock beside her, cuffing her 
viscously.  "Ungrateful WITCH!  I've been out there in the hot sun of 
the desert and done without.  I've paid my dues like any other lion.  
Now I'm going to get what's coming to me!  You will come when I call 
you.  Sooner or later, you will grow to enjoy this, but you WILL be my 
queen, understand??"
	"What do you think you're doing??" Adhama cried.
	Ambia spun to see Adhama and her hunting party behind him.  
"Whatever I wish," he growled, jumping down to confront her.  "What are 
YOU doing here?!"
	"Bringing you dinner as ordered, YOUR MAJESTY," she said.  Sh'aari 
padded forward and dropped the carcass of a small gazelle at his feet.
	He glance at it, then snorted.  "About time!"  Seizing the animal, 
he padded away towards the kopje, leaping up and moving forward.
	There was a cub resting in his favorite spot.  He dropped the 
carcass and shouted, "What are YOU doing here??"
	"Oh gods!" Sh'aari cried.  "Saieti, get DOWN from there!"  The 
lioness padded forward, looking at the kopje above where her cub sat, 
crying pathetically.
	"Mama I'm SCARED!"  The cub cowered away from Ambia, nearly 
slipping off the edge.  "Help me, Momma!  He's MEAN!"
	"By gods I'll SHOW you mean if you don't get OUT OF MY SPACE!"  
Ambia roared and swung a heavy paw down, scoring the stone with his 
claws as the cub fled, screaming hoarsely.  
	"I've had a trying day, Sh'aari!  Keep your brat out of my way if 
you know what's good for you!"
	Sh'aari snarled deep within her chest as Saieti huddled against 
her, shuddering.  "You touch her again, and I'll....."
	"And you'll what??"  Ambia arched his neck and sat up.  "You want 
to tangle with me??  Huh??  Come here--I'll go a couple of rounds with 
you?  Want to take a poke at me, Sis??  HUH??"
	"You wouldn't dare!"
	"Oh wouldn't I??"  He leaped down and cuffed Sh'aari viscously, 
sending her sprawling.  "We're going to lay down some rules here.  Rule 
one: nobody better be laying where I want to nap!"  He cut Saieti's 
flank with a claws-out swipe and she huddled down, shrieking with pain.
	"Rule two: what I want, I get."  He pushed through the shocked 
lionesses to where Amara stood.  He dipped his maned head and rubbed up 
her side, crossing behind her and repeating the action on her right.  
Amara closed her eyes, digging her claws into the earth as she felt the 
loathsome scrub of his body against her.
	"Rule three--Nobody better break rules one and two.  Three little 
rules--do you think you can remember that??"  Ambia settled back on the 
top of the kopje and closed his eyes.  "When I wake up, I want to smell 
dinner.  REAL dinner, not some lame tidbit fit for jackals!"
	Sh'aari whispered, "I have to find the King's sons.  I'll go to 
Simba and ask about them."
	"No," Adhama said.  "Stay here with your daughter.  I'll go."  
Adhama nuzzled Saieti who was still sobbing uncontrollably.  "Honey 
Tree, I'm going for help.  Don't tell anyone, OK?  You're going to be 
all right."


CHAPTER:  THE MISSION

	Amara fought down her disgust and fear, trying to hold Ambia's 
attention while Adhama made a mad dash out to the border.
	Adhama, who was no younger than her dead brother, panted at the 
exertion as she ran and ran and ran.  Lionesses often chase down prey, 
but they will break off pursuit if they don't quickly overtake their 
target.  She had to run like a gazelle, long and hard.
	From time to time she glanced over her shoulder.  Good--there was 
no pursuing lion.  Amara's ploy had worked.  And finally when it seemed 
her old heart would burst, she saw the stream that marked the boundary 
of the pride.  A couple of springs through the cold water and she would 
be on Simba's land.
	Only at the margin of the water did she slow her pace, stepping 
from stone to stone but still getting her legs wet--she hated that.  And 
gaining the opposite bank, she breathed in deeply and let the air rush 
out her mouth and nose.  The first obstacle was overcome.
	Still she was not entirely safe.  As she entered the Pride Lands, 
she shouted, "Aiheu abamami" several times as she went, and before long 
two lionesses came out of the brush.
	"Sarafina, Isha, help me!"
	"Adhama??  What's wrong??"
	"I must see the King at once.  It's an emergency!"
	Not long afterward, Togo and Kombi showed up for guard duty and 
training.  Simba stared at them with somber intensity and they felt 
something awful was afoot.
	"Whatever it was," Kombi said, "we didn't do it this time."
	"I'm not upset with you," Simba said, giving his shoulder a 
sympathetic pat.  "My dear son."
	The strange lioness fell before them.  "My Lords!  You are our 
only hope!"
	Togo nosed her carefully.  "You're crying!  What's wrong?"
	Simba shook his head.  "This is your Aunt Adhama.  You are indeed 
her only hope.  Your father is dead."
	Togo and Kombi took in a collective gasp.
	"Ugas never met you," Adhama said, rising from the earth.  "But he 
cared for your mother a great deal, and he tried to arrange a meeting 
with you before death took him.  Now you must come back and rule in his 
stead.  This is what you were born to do--it was your destiny."
	"If you insist," Kombi said casually.  "Mom told us already.  You 
don't have to cry.  We accept.  We'd be delighted.  Honored too."
	"You don't understand.  It's not that simple."
	Kombi sighed.  "With us, it never is.  What's the catch?"
	"Your family is being hurt by a rogue lion.  Lionesses, cubs, 
people that your mother knew and cared for.  People that your father 
loved very much.  You must help us now.  He is terrorizing us."
	"Is he big?" Kombi said apprehensively.
	"We'll do it," Togo said quickly.  "I don't care how big he is.  
He can't push you around like that."
	Adhama fawned on him, kissing him and nuzzling him as tears 
streamed down her face.  "Oh thank God!"
	"I'm so proud of you," Simba said.  "I've always thought of you as 
one of my sons, but never have I been more proud of you than I am this 
moment.  Togo, my dear son, God be with you."
	"Hey, we're in this together," Kombi said, patting Togo's shoulder 
with his paw.  "That's it, a joint effort--fifty fifty!"  He readied 
himself for the kiss that never came.
	Simba said, "One day I'll hear great things about you two.  You 
must be given your mantlement quickly.  You'll be leaving as soon as 
you're blessed--there's no time to lose."  He looked at Zazu who was 
sitting near the entrance.  "Go bring Uzuri here, and tell her nothing 
about the reason."  He looked at the brothers.  "You must say nothing of 
the emergency to her.  Ugas asked you to come early, understand?"
	"Why not tell her the truth?" Kombi asked.
	"Picture this," Simba said.  "Your mother fighting a strange lion 
that weighs half again as much."
	"I'd never let her fight my battles for me!" Kombi said 
indignantly.  "What do you think I am??"
	"As old as she is, your mother can still outrun you.  She'd fight 
him to the death out of love for you.  Never underestimate the power of 
a mother's love.  It's stronger than any spell in Rafiki's baobab."
	"He's right," Togo said.  "We have to be strong for her.  Smile, 
Kombi.  Like you really mean it, understand?  We're going to see Dad, 
and you're happy."
	"Is this good?" Kombi asked.  His smile was weak but acceptable.
	Just then, Uzuri came in.  She saw Adhama and her face fell at 
once.  "It's Ugas, isn't it?"  She tensed up.  "How did it happen?"
	"He's fine," Adhama said with a forced smile.  "He just needs to 
see Togo and Kombi at once."
	"Then let's go."
	"Alone," Adhama said.
	Uzuri glared at her suspiciously.  "Alone?  Without me?  He's my 
husband."
	"That's what `alone' means.  Relax, hon.  It's one of those male 
things--he wants to see them before he steps down.  Maybe he wants to 
choose which one will be King."
	"Oh."  She glanced at Togo, then at Kombi.  "I guess that means 
it's time."
	Simba nodded.  "Yes.  Now.  I'm sorry I didn't give you more 
warning, but I only just found out myself.  You know how impulsive Ugas 
can be."
	Uzuri hurried to Togo and nuzzled him, then she nuzzled Kombi.  
"My little boys are lions now.  There is so much I wanted to tell you.  
I will come to see you--I promise.  Soon."
	Adhama said, "In a couple of days it should be OK.  I'll send for 
you."
	Uzuri began to cry.  "I know I haven't said it as much as I 
should, but I'm so proud of you.  Both of you.  I hate to see you grow 
up, but I know you're going to be King and Prince and you're going to 
have a safe home of your own.  I'm happy for you--so happy!"  Her chin 
trembled and she sniffed back tears.  "I'm stepping down as hunt 
mistress, and as soon as I'm sent for, I'll join you and take my place 
at your father's side."
	Togo and Kombi nuzzled her fervently.  "Don't cry, Mother!  Please 
don't cry!"
	Simba put his paw on Kombi's shoulder, then he touched Togo's 
shoulder.  "Unto the keeping of the gods I send my sons.  Long life to 
you and success in your endeavors.  Remember the Lord who formed you 
from the ground and breathed life into you.  Go forth with my blessing."
	Uzuri said, "You will always be my sons, but you are no longer my 
cubs.  Remember that by the standards you set, you shall be judged 
yourself.  What you require of others, it shall be required of you, and 
what you forgive of others, it shall be forgiven you."  New tears welled 
up in her eyes.  "Go forth with my blessing!"


CHAPTER:  THIN ICE

	They were anxious to prevent Ambia from hurting their family, but 
they knew better than to run.  Ambia would be well rested, and they must 
be prepared to fight him.  At a fast trot, they headed across their old 
home for the last time.  Every landmark was associated with a dozen 
memories.  They quickly glanced about, trying to remember as much as 
they could.  And Togo also glanced over at Kombi.  He had a horrible 
feeling that one of them might not survive, and he wanted to remember 
his brother.  Oh if there was only time to sit and talk!  He had wasted 
the morning napping in the grass when he could have said so many things 
that were suddenly so important!
	The three lions paused a moment at the border.  The stream had 
always kept them in before.  Now it would keep them out.  As Simba had 
taught them to do, they bowed their heads to the ground at the bank of 
the stream and thanked their parents for giving them life.  Then they 
headed into the water.  Togo deliberately splashed water on his face to 
hide his tears.
	No sooner did they emerge on the opposite bank than they could 
smell the new male's mark.  "Well, now we're in trouble," Kombi said.  
"At least some things never change."
	"He's the one in trouble," Togo said, shaking water out of his 
mane.  "It's either him or me.  I'm not running."
	"Yeah.  Me neither."
	Adhama briefly bowed before them.  "Welcome home, my King.  I 
touch your mane."
	Togo glanced at Kombi and nodded at him.
	"I feel it," Kombi said.  Then he nuzzled his brother and 
whispered, "You're OK, kid."
	There was an unearthly quiet over the land.  No birds sang, no 
crickets chirped.  Even the wind did not blow.  Adhama expected to be 
met by some of the pride sisters.  But there were no sentries, no 
messengers, no hunting parties.  It seemed like the calm before the 
storm.  Could it be that Ambia had forced one of the lionesses to reveal 
her plan?  Were they walking into a trap?
	They got to the Pride Kopje.  Ambia was nowhere to be seen, but 
there were several lionesses around with pained expressions.
	"Does he know?" Adhama asked.  "Is he watching us?"
	"He's behind the rock--with Amara."
	Adhama's jaw trembled.  "Not my little girl!  If he hurts her, 
I'll kill him!"
	Togo and Kombi crept quietly around the rock.  They saw a large 
lion looking very smug.  Lying on the ground with a paw over her face in 
shame was Amara.
	Ambia got up and sauntered over to her.  "Admit it, I'm fun to be 
with.  Someday you'll come to appreciate me."  Trembling, he nosed her 
slender thigh.  "Try to relax this time.  It will be good for you too."
	"Stop!" Togo cried.
	"Says who??"
	"The true king!" Kombi cried.
	"The what??"
	Togo and Kombi took advantage of his momentary surprise.  They 
snarled and mounted a viscous frontal attack.  Amara cowered back as 
Ambia flailed back at them with swipes of his bared claws and snaps of 
his powerful jaws.  One well-placed blow and he could even up the match.
	Suddenly, Ambia felt a hot pain rake down his back leg.  He turned 
around for one fateful moment to look into the burning eyes of Amara.  
"Was it good for you too?" she hissed.
	Before he could look back at Togo and Kombi, they grabbed him by 
the throat and forced him to the ground.  Wide-eyed he stared up, 
pushing with his paws but unable to dislodge himself.  As Togo's grip 
threatened to crush his windpipe and choke the life out of him, Kombi 
came about to face the desperate opponent.
	"Spare me!" he cried, gagging.  "Spare me!  I'll go away and never 
come back!"
	"Kiss her feet," Togo said.
	"What??"
	"I said kiss her feet!  Now DO IT!"
	Trembling, Ambia crawled across the ground on his stomach toward 
Amara, kissing her forepaws, then rolling on his back.  "Tell them to 
spare me!  Please, for God's sake!"
	The lioness looked at Togo and Kombi.  "He defiled me.  Do with 
him what you will."
	Kombi came to him, raising his claws as if to rip him.
	"Please, for God's sake!" Ambia cried.  "I surrender!"
	Kombi smirked at him.  "My mother always said to put personal 
feelings aside and have mercy on the helpless."
	"Oh thank God!"
	"But you're not dealing with my mother."  He raked Ambia's face 
with his claws out.  Ambia screamed hysterically, blood staining his 
cheek a bright crimson.  
	"Now you know how it feels.  Get out!"
	Ambia squirmed before Togo and Kombi.  "I'm going!  Thank you!"
	Togo roared with his full voice, "You heard him--DO IT NOW!!"
	The intruder bolted wild-eyed across the savanna and into the 
shelter of the rushes.  It was safe to assume he was gone for good.  The 
lion that terrorized lionesses and their cubs was a coward.
	Then in the quiet left after the storm, lionesses and cubs came 
from the bushes and tall grass as if they were popping out of the 
ground.  "Look everyone, it's Ugas' sons!"
	Lionesses came from all sides and rubbed against them.  Cubs 
stared at them, noting the uncanny resemblance Kombi had to Ugas.
	"Is it safe now, Mommy?"
	"Yes, honey tree."
	Togo nuzzled some of the small cubs.  He turned on his back and 
began to play with them, the way he had played with Tanabi and Misha 
long ago, bouncing them on his legs.
	Adhama saw that and began to cry.  "Look, Kombi!  Look at your 
brother!  Ugas lives on in you!"
	Kombi nuzzled her and pawed her cheek.  "Auntie Adhama, I miss my 
mother, but it's good to be home."  He went to Togo and whispered, "Hey, 
let's not mess this one up."
	As everyone watched in gratitude and relief, Kombi climbed to the 
top of the kopje where Ambia had so recently held sway.  But to Kombi it 
only meant one thing--it was where his father had ruled.  It was the 
closest he would ever come to meeting Ugas in the world of Ma'at.  
Feeling his father's blood surging in his veins, he lifted up his muzzle 
and roared--loudly.  The lionesses answered him.  He felt shivers go 
down his spine.  As the echoes died away across the savanna, a distant 
reply caught his ears.  His blood rushed as he recognized the voice of 
Simba answering him from the Pride Lands, acknowledging Kombi's 
sovereignty and proclaiming his own.  He heard Simba's lionesses declare 
their allegiance as well, tears stinging his eyes as he recognized the 
voice of his mother.  He bowed his head to the ground.  "Thank you, God.  
It's good to be alive."

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